Scientist have tried to classify living organisms into groups since Aristotle’s time. Over time this classification system has changed and evolved as we have learned more about organisms. Advances in technology have fueled many of these changes. Scientist are now studying the genetic makeup of organisms. With this new information, scientist believed that the long held system of 5 kingdoms needed to be reevaluated. In 1990, it was suggested that the name “domain” be used to describe a rank higher than kingdom. The proposed three domain system includes the kingdoms, Protista, Plantae, Fungi, and Animalia under the Domain Eukarya. The Kingdom Monera was separated into the two domains, Domain Bacteria and Domain Archaea.
This blog is intended to address the needs of educators teaching the classification of organisms using physical characteristics, body structures, and behavior of the organism (Virginia Standards of Learning 5.5). With over one million different species on earth there is an abundance of books available. I have tried to find a few excellent examples of books and other resources to get you started.
Book Reviews:
This book is a great introduction to classification. In a short 39 pages this book covers the traditional 5 kingdoms. On a two page spread the book gives a colorful overview of each kingdom. There is a brief description of the kingdom along with examples and a graphic that depicts the size of that kingdom compared to the remaining kingdoms. The book breaks down the animal kingdom into invertebrates and vertebrates and the five classes of vertebrates.
The Animal Kingdom: A Guide to Vertebrate Classification and Biodiversity
By Kate Whyman
This book is 45 pages full of great information. But don’t let the size deter you. The introduction to each class of vertebrates contains a bulleted box that lists the characteristics of that vertebrate. You can quickly cover the basics by looking at the pictures and bulleted boxes. This book also contains a great introduction to what is a living thing and classification. Herbivores, carnivores and the human impact on the animal kingdom are also briefly covered.
Bugs Up Close
By Diane Swanson and Photographed by Paul Davidson
Of all the different kinds of invertebrates, insects are the class we are all familiar with. This book quickly describes the characteristics of insects and then devotes a page to each characteristic. Photographer Paul Davidson provides amazing close-up photos of different types of insects.
Amphibians: Water-t0-Land Animals
By Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Kristin Kest
Just like the cover, this book is filled with rich, colorful illustrations of amphibians. The text is easy to read and brief. Throughout the book are inserts with additional information and trivia facts. At the end of the book is a scientific classification chart and glossary. If you like this book, then you may like one of the other five that is in the series.
Crab Moon
By Ruth Horowitz and illustrated by Kate Kiesler
In this fictional story, a young boy and his mother go to the beach in the middle of the night to see horseshoe crabs spawning. This book would be a great way to introduce invertebrates to students. After reading the story, students can discuss the characteristics of invertebrates and arachnids and how they are mentioned in the story. The book also contains a fact sheet about horseshoe crabs.
Web sites for kids:
Animal Classification. This site offers a brief description of the characteristics of mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and birds. The descriptions are four to six bulleted points that are done colorfully and with pictures. There is a Classification Game that is an excellent review of the different characteristics of the animals discussed.
Classifying Critters. At this web site, there is a brief explanation of how scientists classify living things and an interactive quiz on vertebrates. The quiz shows you a picture of one animal and asks that you identify an animal that would be in the same category as the first. After you identify the correct animal, you are then given a multiple choice question. The question is, what characteristics do these animals have in common?
Plant and Animal Differences. To play this game you must quickly sort and drag the items to the correct box. As the items go by on a conveyor belt you must sort them by bird, mammal, insect, or plant.
A Touch of Class game. In this game you are given a grid with 16 shadow pictures of living things. You are asked to click the pictures that correspond with the statement at the top of the page. Some examples of statements are: “things that have a tail” or “things that have a backbone.”
Video. Select the video titled “Form and Function.” This video discusses how scientists look at animal’s structure and behavior when comparing them. After watching this video, viewers should have a better understanding of how animals that look similar can be classified differently.
Teacher Resources:
Lesson plan. Science NetLinks offers a two-part lesson plan on classification. In addition to the lesson plans, the site also discusses the misconceptions and the difficultly that most students have in understanding classification. This site also offers assessment and extension activities.
Introducing Classification. This site offers a brief explanation and history of classification along with descriptions of the 5 kingdoms and examples. There is also a section that compares the kingdoms and an activity for students that can be printed.
Teacher overview. At this site educators can review the characteristics of the main kingdoms. The kingdoms are then broken down into further subgroups and examples of each are given. Click on “Printable Worksheets” and you will find a 10 question assessment based on the information found on this site.
Biology4Kids.com. This link takes you to a slide show about classification and discusses the three domains. Look around the site and you will find great pictures and quizzes that can be used.